Oswalt's history against the Reds

Sure, everyone felt good about the Phillies' chances even before Roy Halladay took the mound in Game 1.

But Shane Victorino is just as confident with Roy Oswalt going today.

“He’s got that swagger, that attitude when he gets on the mound that, hey, I’m coming, be ready,” Victorino said. “And he’s not afraid to come after you. He’s going to come at you with a variety of pitches. He’s gotten a lot better with his offspeed stuff. I don’t remember him being that good with his changeup. He’s got that devastating fastball, and of course his big curveball.”

For years, Oswalt owned the Reds. He won 22 decisions in a row against them, but that success has started to teeter as of late.

In his last four starts against Cincinnati, Oswalt has a 6.65 ERA. Included in there was his most recent start against the Reds on July 24 when he was still with Houston. On that day, he gave up six earned runs in five innings (the Astros lost 7-0).

“You’ll stay up all night trying to figure out how to get this guy, or the pattern of his pitches,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He’s a very tough competitor.”

Reds right fielder Jay Bruce said he and his teammates have confidence now when they come face-to-face with Oswalt.

“We have an approach that we have figured out that works for us against him, and we’re able to execute it,” Bruce said.